AMAP integrates monitoring and assessment. AMAP is conceived as a process integrating both monitoring and assessment activities, in order to:

  • produce integrated assessment reports on the pollution and climate status and trends of the conditions of Arctic ecosystems;
  • identify possible causes for changing conditions;
  • detect emerging problems, their possible causes, and the potential risk to Arctic ecosystems including indigenous peoples and other Arctic residents;
  • recommend actions required to reduce risks to Arctic ecosystems.

To prepare its assessments, AMAP:

  • designed and implemented a coordinated monitoring programme to monitor the levels of pollutants and climate variables and assess the effects of pollution in all compartments of the Arctic environment (the atmospheric, terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments, and human populations). AMAP monitoring activities are based, to the greatest extent possible, on ongoing national and international monitoring and research; aiming to harmonize this work and where necessary promote new activities to fill identified gaps in order to meet the AMAP objectives;
  • instituted an assessment process to produce assessment reports and other products. The AMAP assessments are performed according to agreed guidelines and are based on: (i) data and information already published in scientific literature, (ii) data and information obtained from AMAP’s monitoring programme, and (iii) traditional knowledge.